Defence Medalhttp://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/22
enHart, Wilbert Carlhttp://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/biography-Gunner-Hart-Wilbert-Carl
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Hart, Wilbert Carl</span>
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<div class="field__label">Rank</div>
<div class="field__item">Private</div>
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<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/user/83" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Patrick Nagle</span></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 10/10/2017 - 15:58</span>
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<h3 class="field__label">Divisional Unit</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/19" hreflang="en">1st Canadian Army</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/40" hreflang="en">2nd Canadian Infantry Division</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/55" hreflang="en">5th Infantry Brigade</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/65" hreflang="en">The Black Watch of Canada - 1st Battalion (Royal Highland Regiment)</a></li>
</ul></div><div class="field field--name-field-awards field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix">
<h3 class="field__label">Awards</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/20" hreflang="en">1939-45 Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/21" hreflang="en">France – Germany Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/22" hreflang="en">Defence Medal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/23" hreflang="en"> War Medal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/Canadian-Volunteer-Service-Medal-with-clasp" hreflang="en">Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp</a></li>
</ul></div>
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-mt-subheader-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>SERVICE NO: </strong>A / 31364</p>
<p><strong>AWARDS: </strong>1939-45 Star, France – Germany Star, Defence Medal,</p>
<p>War Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal + clasp.</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF BIRTH: </strong>November 7, 1907</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF DEATH: </strong>December 24, 1944 37 years 1 month</p>
<p><strong>WIFE: </strong>Mrs. Sarah Levina Hart – Guelph – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>SONS: </strong>Wilbert Jr., David and William – Guelph – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>MOTHER: </strong>Mrs.<strong> </strong>Edith Hart – Wingham – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>BROTHERS: </strong>Mr. Alvin and Earl Hart – Wingham – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>SISTER: </strong>Mrs. Mildred Prentice – Wingham – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>CEMETERY: </strong>Temporary Canadian Military Cemetery – Jonkerbosch – Netherlands.</p>
<p>Row 4 Grave 4</p>
<p><strong>CEMETERY: </strong>Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery – Groesbeek –</p>
<p>Gelderland – Netherlands.</p>
<p>II C 11</p>
<p>Height: 5’ 6” Weight: 120 pounds</p>
<p>Complexion: dark Eyes: hazel Hair: brown/grey</p>
<p>Occupation: foundry worker Religion: Church of England.</p>
<p><strong>RESIDENCE: </strong>Guelph – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>ENLISTMENT: </strong>April 29, 1941 – Guelph – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>ENLISTMENT AGE: </strong>33 years 5 months</p>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Wilbert enjoyed playing softball.<br />
Following school he had worked on a farm for three years and then had worked at Western Foundry in Wingham – Ontario for 5 years.<br />
In 1981, Mrs. S. Hart contacted the Library and Archives of Canada about the service file of her husband Private Hart. At that time she would have been approximately 68 years of age.</p>
<ul><li>Upon his enlistment, Gunner Hart was with the 4th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery and immediately posted to the 100th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery in Guelph – Ontario.</li>
<li>July 7, 1941 – granted Embarkation leave until July 9, 1941.</li>
<li>October 10, 1941 – granted furlough until October 29, 1941.</li>
<li>November 10, 1941 – Embarked from Canada for overseas.</li>
<li>November 23, 1941 – Arrived in Liverpool – England.</li>
<li>December 1, 1941 – granted landing leave until December 6, 1941. United Kingdom</li>
<li>January 18, 1942 – assigned to No. 3 Canadian Army Reinforcement Unit.</li>
<li>May 29, 1942 – Taken on Strength for the Canadian Reinforcement Pool and attached to 3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment.</li>
<li>October 5, 1942 – granted 7 days leave until October 12.</li>
<li>February 4, 1943 – granted 9 days leave until February 13, 1943.</li>
<li>June 7, 1943 – granted 9 days leave until June 16, 1943.</li>
<li>July 4, 1944 – Embarked from England bound for the continent.</li>
<li>July 7, 1944 – Arrived in France on D Day + 31. North-West Europe</li>
</ul><p><strong>In the field…..</strong></p>
<ul><li>September 13, 1944 – Gunner Hart transfers to the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps and assumes the rank of Private.</li>
<li>October 24, 1944 – assigned to the Black Watch of Canada.</li>
</ul><p>The Nijmegen Salient was a large area defended by the 1st Canadian Army from November 1944 until early February of 1945. The 1st Canadian Army front during this period was 135 miles in length.<br />
At the beginning of the second week of December the Regiment found themselves on the front lines again and in their slit trenches, trenches, dugouts and sandbag huts bordering the River Maas. For the next two weeks, they would carry out patrols and raiding parties.</p>
<ul><li>On December 24, 1944, the Regiment was preparing to advance onto Middelaarhuis but did not want to move until the moon went down about 9:45 pm in the evening. The weather in the day had been clear, sunny but frosty.</li>
</ul><p>When the moon set “C” Company moved forward toward the town of Middelaarhuis and their supporting arms fire was very well coordinated.<br />
“A” Company sprayed the area with machine gun fire and received a few enemy mortar rounds in return.<br />
The planning of the Brigade had worked well and they were then able to move their positions forward.<br />
The Companies had been able to advance their forward positions and it was at this time the enemy sent some mortar fire and one struck very close to where Private Hart was and he was immediately evacuated to a Canadian Aid Station but was not able to survive the wounds received.<br />
This raid was not a success as the reason for it was to bring back German prisoners. Once in the town, the Regiment found no enemy. The Regiment was disappointed in the result especially because of their losses.<br />
The known enemy mortar positions were then engaged by the artillery, with air bursts.</p>
<p>During the daylight hours of December 24th there had been little action, but following the raid and upon returning to their positions the men of the Regiment could hear the Germans playing and singing Christmas carols as they were popping rifle grenades toward the Regiment. <br />
The Regiment then sat and waited until the Germans began “Silent Night” and made a liar out of the Germans by furnishing the accompaniment with their Bren guns.<br />
Later the Regiment heard the sound of female voices and they wondered if the rumours were true that the enemy had “camp followers” that move with the troops.</p>
<ul><li>A letter dated January 11, 1945 arrived at the Hart home in Guelph Ontario expressing regrets about the death of Private Hart while serving his country in the North-West theatre of war. In addition, the Minister of Defence and the Army board are expressing their deepest sympathies. This letter was from Major-General A. E. Walford per the Adjutant General.</li>
<li>A letter to Mrs. Hart from Colonel C. L. Laurin – the Director of Records per the Adjutant General dated July 23, 1946 arrived explaining that her husband Private Hart was reburied with full honour and rites at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery. She was also invited to send a short personal message that would be carved into his headstone.</li>
<li>In May of 1946, Mrs. Hart received a letter from Miss Jet Janssen who tended to his grave following his death. She wrote that Private Hart had given his life to the Dutch people and that because of that he would never be out of their prayers and that they considered him to be a hero.</li>
</ul><p>The War Service Gratuity sent to his wife was $873.77. His Last Pay amounted $264.94.<br />
His personal items sent back to his family in Canada included 1 snapshot album, 2 photos, 1 leather shaving case, 1 cap badge, 1 key and locket on a chain, 1 coin purse, 10 souvenir coins, 2 English Farthing coins, 1 pen knife, 2 lanyards, a New Testament, a notebook, a nail file, a fountain pen, good luck tokens, a red “I” disc and a packet containing snapshots/negatives/postcards/greeting cards/writing paper and envelopes.</p>
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Tue, 10 Oct 2017 19:58:44 +0000Patrick Nagle67 at http://dutch-canadiansremember.caEvans, Lylehttp://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/biography-Trooper-Evans-Lyle
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Evans, Lyle</span>
<div class="field field--name-field-rank field--type-list-string field--label-inline">
<div class="field__label">Rank</div>
<div class="field__item">Trooper</div>
</div>
<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/user/83" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Patrick Nagle</span></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 10/10/2017 - 13:57</span>
<div class="field field--name-field-divisional-unit field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix">
<h3 class="field__label">Divisional Unit</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/19" hreflang="en">1st Canadian Army</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/34" hreflang="en"> 4th Canadian Armoured Division</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/29th-Armoured-Reconnaissance-Regiment" hreflang="en">29th Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/58" hreflang="en">South Alberta Regiment</a></li>
</ul></div><div class="field field--name-field-awards field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix">
<h3 class="field__label">Awards</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/20" hreflang="en">1939-45 Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/21" hreflang="en">France – Germany Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/22" hreflang="en">Defence Medal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/Canadian-Volunteer-Service-Medal-with-clasp" hreflang="en">Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp</a></li>
</ul></div>
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-mt-subheader-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>SERVICE NO: </strong>A / 105434</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF BIRTH: </strong>September 16, 1922 – Brussels – County of Huron – Ontario</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF DEATH: </strong>March 7, 1945 22 years 5 months</p>
<p><strong>PARENTS: </strong>Mr. Charles and Annabelle Evans – Brussels - Ontario</p>
<p><strong>BROTHER: </strong>Mr.<strong> </strong>Harry Evans – Brussels – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>CEMETERY: </strong>Sonsbeck – Germany – Temporary Military Cemetery</p>
<p>Plot 1 Row D Grave 5<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>CEMETERY: </strong>Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery<strong> - </strong>Groesbeek -</p>
<p>Gelderland – Netherlands</p>
<p>IV B 12</p>
<p>Height: 5’ 9” Weight: 138 pounds</p>
<p>Complexion: fair Eyes: blue Hair: brown</p>
<p>Occupation: Farming Religion: Presbyterian</p>
<p><strong>RESIDENCE:</strong> Brussels – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>ENLISTMENT: </strong>December 1, 1942 – London – Ontario</p>
<p><strong>ENLISTMENT AGE: </strong>20 years 2 months</p>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><ul><li>Upon his enlistment, he was assigned to Ontario Central District Depot No. 1 (Active Force).</li>
<li>Private Evans was sent to No. 13 Basic Training Camp based in Listowel – Ontario.</li>
<li>In early February of 1943, Private Evans was assigned to A33 Canadian Armoured Corps Training Establishment Camp</li>
<li>He is appointed to the rank of Trooper.</li>
<li>Trooper Evans qualifies as a Class III driver of wheeled vehicles on April 7, 1943.</li>
<li>Trooper Evans on May 8, 1943 qualifies as a Tracked Instructor.</li>
<li>In the second half of June 1943 Trooper Evans qualifies as a Class III tank driver.</li>
<li>Prior to going overseas Trooper Evans is given leave and he spends this time with his family and friends in the Brussels area of Huron County.</li>
<li>Embarkation from Halifax and Canada occurs on October 23, 1943.</li>
<li>Trooper Evans arrives in the United Kingdom on October 29, 1943.</li>
<li>On November 14, 1943 Trooper Evans moved to No. 1 Canadian Ordnance Reinforcement Unit.</li>
<li>He is granted 9 days leave on January 26, 1944.</li>
<li>On February 2, 1944 Trooper Evans is sent to No. 29 Governor General’s Horse Guards and it is here he qualifies as Driver / Mechanic Tank “C”.</li>
<li>On February 24th, he joins the 29th Armoured Reconnaissance Regiment. (South Alberta Regiment)</li>
<li>Trooper Evans departs the United Kingdom on July 20, 1944.</li>
</ul><p> </p>
<p><strong>In the field…..</strong></p>
<ul><li>Trooper Evans arrives in France on July 22, 1944 and is sent to No. 1 Canadian Armoured Corp Trained Soldier Regiment to await orders.</li>
<li>Trooper Evans received a head wound on August 26, 1944. He suffered a lacerated scalp. He first went to No. 15 Canadian Field Ambulance. On August 27th, he went to No. 5 Canadian Field Dressing Station. From there he was sent to No. 75 British General Hospital located at Bayeux. He was deemed to be fit for air evacuation to England and was discharged on August 29, 1944. It is believed that he was sent to England to see if there was any paralysis or any other damage.</li>
<li>On September 21, 1944 Trooper Evans was admitted to No. 23 Canadian General Hospital. He was discharged and sent to No. 1 Special Hospital on November 23rd and was discharged on </li>
<li>November 27, 1944 Trooper Evans is awarded 9 days Privileged Leave with meal allowance on October 10, 1944.</li>
<li>November 23, 1944 has him going to No. 3 Canadian Medical Centre.</li>
<li>He Embarks from England on January 5, 1945.</li>
<li>He arrives in France on January 6, 1945. He is assigned to the 9th Canadian Armoured Corp Reinforcement Regiment.</li>
<li>On February 6, 1945 Trooper Evans rejoins the South Alberta Regiment in the field.</li>
</ul><p>Operation VERITABLE was the plan to clear the Rhineland and to then push into Germany itself. This began of February 26, 1945 with the objective being the Hochwald Forest and clearing the high ground at Calcar and Udem. The Hochwald Gap proved to be a tough nut and this fight went on until March 4th. Between March 4-9, 1945 was the fight for Veen and it was during this battle where Trooper Evans lost his life. This the last fight for the Division before crossing the Rhine.</p>
<p>Veen was thought to be lightly defended but on March 7th, as the advance began the Canadians found out this was not the case as they met very heavy fire. The enemy was placing much attention on the Regiment. Advancing was slowed due to the heavy artillery and mortar fire but as well because of the cratering in the road, minefields and increased enemy resistance held the South Albertas up short of Veen. The town proved to be a serious obstacle as the houses had been turned into armoured pill box with concrete walls and slits for machine gun fire. The cellars were divided up into concrete boxes where the enemy would wait and then make their suicidal move onto the Canadians. On March 9, 1945, the town of Veen fell.</p>
<p><br /><strong>South Alberta Diaries:</strong><br />
a) The Regiment as a Squadron had 19 tanks. 3 at Headquarters and the 4 Troops each having 4 tanks. <br />
b) The Sherman tank was the tank of choice for the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps because of the mobility it possessed. However, it was not capable of absorbing the heavy shells from the enemy tanks and anti tank guns. The range of the enemy tanks was 4X that of the Sherman.<br />
c) The battle on March 6th at Sonsbeck / Veen was bitter, it was fierce and it was bloody and all the while the enemy resistance was fanatical to the extreme.<br />
d) On March 7th, the South Alberta Regiment were south of Kirjel, and as the day progressed “A” Squadron would send 2 troops of tanks forward toward Veen with additional troops to move if needed.<br />
e) “C“ Squadron was to remain stationary and shell the town of Veen until 4 pm.<br />
f) “B” Squadron was to shell Pidgeon and March.<br />
g) When the infantry was to go in the fire from the armour would be lifted and then concentrated on the woods of Keaton North. “A” Squadron would then send 2 Troops with the infantry (Algonquin Regiment) on the right and one Troop with the infantry on the left.<br />
h) It did not take the Regiment very long to come under very heavy enemy artillery and mortar and stopped both the armour and the infantry. The shelling was coming from the east of March and already 3 Troop had lost a tank and also had to contend with the crossroads being mined plus they had to push a booby - trapped vehicle out of the way. One tank was in flames and another was immobilized.<br />
i) 1 Troop arrived at 7:30 pm with two tanks and the position was formed up with the assistance of the Infantry at Pidgeon. Now, from the edge of the woods, an enemy anti tank gun had begun firing and had pinned down the two tanks and they were unable to maneuver to face this threat. Even with the support of the artillery this gun could not be altogether silenced. Later 4 Troop sent in two tanks as support.<br />
j) Lieutenant Fraser of the Algonquin Regiment tried to eliminate an enemy machine gun position and was killed in his attempt. Trooper Evans left his tank, rushed to aid Lieutenant Fraser, picked him up and carried him to the cover of a farmhouse. Trooper Evans had no way of knowing his comrade was already dead. Just as he got to the house and into the kitchen an enemy mortar shell exploded in the nearby orchard and a fragment flew through the window and struck him in the head. Trooper Evans died immediately.<br />
k) Veen finally fell on March 9, 1945.<br />
l) On March 10, 1945, Padre Wilcox entered the farmhouse in search of Trooper Evans and found him lying across a heap of enemy cartridges on the floor.<br />
m) The burial part gathered his personal belongings and these were sent back to his family in Canada.<br />
n) Padre Wilcox would eventually write a personal letter to the family of Trooper Evans as he did with every man who fell.</p>
<ul><li>Trooper Evans was originally buried in a temporary military cemetery located at Sonsbeck – Germany. Plot 1 – Row D – Grave 5. </li>
<li>On November 16, 1946, Trooper was reburied with full military honours and Christian rites at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery,</li>
<li>Mrs. Evans was named Executrix of his Estate by her son Trooper Evans.</li>
<li>Mrs. Evans received a letter dated March 31, 1945 from Major – General Walford per the Adjutant General expressing condolences and sympathy regarding the loss of her son Trooper Evans.</li>
</ul><p>The following items of Trooper Evans were returned to the family…..<br />
1 Super Depend Lighter 1 Active Service wrist watch<br />
1 broken gold ring 1 red leather folder<br />
1 Hat Badge 1 Schaeffer pen<br />
1 folder with 2 photos 1 leather wallet<br />
7 snapshots 1 Drivers License<br />
1 tobacco pouch 1 National Registration Card<br />
1 leather pocket book 1 “I” card<br />
The Evans family receives a letter dated December 6, 1947 and enclosed is a photograph of where Trooper Evans is resting.<br />
Trooper Evans has $50.00 in Victory Bonds.<br />
The War Service Gratuity for Trooper Evans in $383.11. His last pay is $208.96.</p></div>
Tue, 10 Oct 2017 17:57:31 +0000Patrick Nagle63 at http://dutch-canadiansremember.caStraughan, George Melvillehttp://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/biography-Lance-Corporal-Straughan-George-Melville
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Straughan, George Melville</span>
<div class="field field--name-field-rank field--type-list-string field--label-inline">
<div class="field__label">Rank</div>
<div class="field__item">Lance Corporal</div>
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<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/user/83" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Patrick Nagle</span></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 10/10/2017 - 12:29</span>
<div class="field field--name-field-divisional-unit field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix">
<h3 class="field__label">Divisional Unit</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/19" hreflang="en">1st Canadian Army</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/34" hreflang="en"> 4th Canadian Armoured Division</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/35" hreflang="en">10th Infantry Brigade</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/42" hreflang="en">Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise’s)</a></li>
</ul></div><div class="field field--name-field-awards field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix">
<h3 class="field__label">Awards</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/20" hreflang="en">1939-45 Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/21" hreflang="en">France – Germany Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/22" hreflang="en">Defence Medal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/Canadian-Volunteer-Service-Medal-with-clasp" hreflang="en">Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp</a></li>
</ul></div>
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-mt-subheader-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>SERVICE NO:</strong> A / 59488</p>
<p><strong>AWARDS: </strong>1939-45 Star, France – Germany Star, War Medal,</p>
<p>Defence Medal and the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal + clasp.</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF BIRTH:</strong> February 13, 1920</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF DEATH:</strong> April 20, 1945 25 years 1 month</p>
<p><strong>PARENTS:</strong> Mr. Charles and Mabel Straughan – Auburn – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>SISTER: </strong>Vivian Elizabeth Straughan – Auburn – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>CEMETERY:</strong> Temporary Cemetery at Friosyothe – Germany to the right of the road</p>
<p>just prior to crossing the bridge into the town. Grave 1.</p>
<p><strong>CEMETERY: </strong>Holten Canadian War Cemetery – Holten –</p>
<p>Overijssel – Netherlands.</p>
<p>VI F 2</p>
<p>Grave inscription: “A loved son. He giveth his beloved sleep beyond</p>
<p>the sunset oh, glad reunion”</p>
<p>Height: 5’ 61/2 “ Weight: 175 pounds</p>
<p>Complexion: fair Eyes: blue Hair: fair</p>
<p>Occupation: Farming Religion: United Church</p>
<p><strong>RESIDENCE: </strong>Auburn – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>ENLISTMENT: </strong>January 20, 1942 – Kitchener - Ontario</p>
<p><strong>ENLISTMENT AGE:</strong> 21 years 11 months.</p></div>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>George received his primary educated and graduated from Grade 8 and then attended high school for two years up until the age of 17. After school he sailed on the lake boats of the Great Lakes for a season before working full time on the family farm in Auburn.</p>
<ul><li>January 20, 1942 – to No. 10 Basic Training Centre in Kitchener – Ontario.</li>
<li>March 8, 1942 – to No. 20 Training Centre in Red Deer – Alberta.</li>
<li>April 9, 1942 – Private Straughan qualifies as Class III Friver of wheeled vehicles.</li>
<li>April 22, 1942 – to 4th Canadian Armoured Division in Debert – Nova Scotia.</li>
<li>August 3, 1942 – granted leave until August 16, 1942.</li>
<li>September 4, 1942 – granted leave until September 12, 1942.</li>
<li>September 24, 1942 – departed Canadian shores.</li>
<li>October 8, 1942 – Arrived in Liverpool.</li>
<li>October 8, 1942 – to Royal Canadian Armoured Corp Training Centre.</li>
<li>December 10, 1942 – granted leave until December 18, 1942.</li>
<li>March 29, 1943 – granted leave until April 6, 1943.</li>
<li>June 21, 1943 – granted leave until July 29, 1943.</li>
<li>December 26, 1943 – appointed to rank of Lance Corporal.</li>
<li>January 18, 1944 – completed land mine course.</li>
</ul><p><br /><strong>In the field…..</strong></p>
<ul><li>July 24, 1944 – Departed England.</li>
<li>July 28, 1944 – Arrived on the continent in France.</li>
<li>November 9, 1944 – Taken on Strength with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlands of the Royal Canadian Infantry Corps.</li>
</ul><p>On April 17th, the 4th Canadian Division crossed the canal at Edewechterdamm, eleven miles from Oldenburg. There was however, a very formidable obstacle facing them which was the Kusten Canal with a width of 100 feet.<br />
This a battle that the 4th Canadian Armoured Division which included the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada fought between April 17 – 19, 1945.</p>
<p>During the night of April 19th, German radio traffic was intercepted and from this the Division learned that the German High Command considered the Kustan Canal extremely vital and that orders were issued to the German defenders not to retreat at any cost.</p>
<p>The Argylls on the morning of April 20 found the morning to be bright and sunny. They were informed that from intercepted enemy radio traffic they should expect very strong resistance as the enemy felt the canal and area were vital to them. They were also told not to expect an enemy retreat.<br />
Up to this point the German defenders had suffered heavily from the onslaught of Canadian artillery, mortars and aircraft.<br />
On the German side, they felt the Canadian thrust would lead due north to Wilhelmshaven.</p>
<p>Typhoon aircraft had engaged enemy targets shortly before noon and this tied in with attacks by “B & C” Companies as they advanced. By noon they had advanced to the north and it was at this point that things became very sticky. The armour was finding it difficult to move up and provide the necessary support the Argylls immediately needed. In the late afternoon “A & D” Companies also joined the advance and now advancing was slow and it was difficult.</p>
<p>At nightfall on the evening of April 20th, “A” Company had managed to advance to just below the small river separating the Argylls from Osterscheps and it here they met heavy small arms fire and mortar fire. Two of the supporting tanks worked their way forward in support and as they were doing so one tank was knocked out.</p>
<p>The Canadian mortars and artillery were very active into the early night. It was during this advance where Lance Corporal Straughan lost his life in battle.</p>
<p> </p>
<ul><li>On May 5, 1945, the Major – General A. E. Walford per the Adjutant – General wrote the family a letter expressing on the death of Lance Corporal Straughan who died serving his country in the North-West Europe theatre of war.</li>
<li>On June 29, 1946, a letter was received by the family from Colonel C. L. Laurin Director of Records per Adjutant – General providing detail of the burial of Lance Corporal Straughan at Holten Canadian War Cemetery with the personal invitation to pass along a personal message should the family like to have something on his gravestone. </li>
</ul><p>His personal items were….. 1 kit bag, 1 Kodak Bullet camera, 2 towels, 2 dress caps, 6 handkerchiefs, 1 sleeveless sweater, 1 pair woolen gloves, cap badge / patches, 2 pair socks, 1 pair black oxfords, <br />
1 pair spectacles with case, 2 note books, 1 facecloth, 1 lanyard, 3 souvenir address books, 3 Kodak films, snapshots / negatives.</p>
<p>George’s mother Mabel was the Executrix of his estate. In settling the estate there was $90. In the Bank of Commerce Branch in Auburn, there was a War Savings Certificate in the amount of $10, there were Victory Bonds totalling $500, the War Service Gratuity amounted to $625.37 and his last pay added up to $176.16.</p></div>
Tue, 10 Oct 2017 16:29:48 +0000Patrick Nagle60 at http://dutch-canadiansremember.caRyan, Thomas Josephhttp://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/biography-Private-Ryan-Thomas-Joseph
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Ryan, Thomas Joseph</span>
<div class="field field--name-field-rank field--type-list-string field--label-inline">
<div class="field__label">Rank</div>
<div class="field__item">Private</div>
</div>
<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/user/83" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Patrick Nagle</span></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 10/10/2017 - 10:43</span>
<div class="field field--name-field-divisional-unit field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix">
<h3 class="field__label">Divisional Unit</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/19" hreflang="en">1st Canadian Army</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/30" hreflang="en">3rd Canadian Infantry Division</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/31" hreflang="en"> 9th Infantry Brigade</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/32" hreflang="en">Highland Light Infantry of Canada</a></li>
</ul></div><div class="field field--name-field-awards field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix">
<h3 class="field__label">Awards</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/20" hreflang="en">1939-45 Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/21" hreflang="en">France – Germany Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/22" hreflang="en">Defence Medal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/23" hreflang="en"> War Medal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/Canadian-Volunteer-Service-Medal-with-clasp" hreflang="en">Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp</a></li>
</ul></div>
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-mt-subheader-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>SERVICE NO:</strong> A / 59440</p>
<p><strong>AWARDS: </strong>1939-45 Star, France – Germany Star – Defence Medal –</p>
<p>War Medal – Canadian Volunteer Service Medal + clasp.</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF BIRTH: </strong>September 26, 1918 – Guelph – County of Wellington – Ontario<strong>.</strong></p>
<p><strong>DATE OF DEATH: </strong>February 11, 1945 26 years 4 months.</p>
<p><strong>FATHER:</strong> Mr. Thomas Ryan – Parkhill – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>BROTHERS: </strong> Mr. Norman Ryan – Parkhill – Ontario.</p>
<p>Mr. Hugh Ryan – Petrolia – Ontario.<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>CEMETERY: </strong>Temporary Canadian Military Cemetery – Nijmegen – Netherlands.</p>
<p>Plot 1 Row 5 Grave 18.</p>
<p>Height: 5’ 8” Weight: 145 pounds</p>
<p>Complexion: medium Eyes: blue Hair: grey/black</p>
<p>Occupation: Bus Operator Religion: Roman Catholic</p>
<p><strong>RESIDENCE:</strong> Parkhill - Ontario</p>
<p><strong>ENLISTMENT: </strong>March 12, 1942 – London – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>ENLISTMENT AGE: </strong>23 years 5 months</p></div>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Thomas received his primary education and graduated from Grade 8 and then took 1 year of High School.<br />
Private Ryan’s Service File states that he lived in Corbett and this where he received his primary education.<br />
His service file also states that Thomas had lived in Huron County for a period of time.</p>
<ul><li>Thomas had enrolled in the Non Permanent Active Militia of Canada on October 9, 1940 into the Huron & Middlesex Regiment.</li>
<li>Thomas enlisted under the National Resource Mobilization Act for Home Defence in London on March 12, 1942.</li>
<li>March 21, 1942 – to No. 10 Basic Training Centre in Chatham – Ontario.</li>
<li>March 25, 1942 – Private Ryan enlists into the Canadian Active Service Force in Chatham – Ontario.</li>
<li>April 7, 1942 – to No. 8 Infantry Training Centre at Camp Borden – Ontario.</li>
<li>July 17, 1942 – Struck off Service to Canadian Forces overseas.</li>
<li>July 21, 1942 – Private Ryan departed from Canada bound for overseas. </li>
<li>July 21, 1942 – appointed to the Rank of Trooper.</li>
<li>July 30, 1942 – Trooper Ryan arrived in the United Kingdom.</li>
<li>September 1, 1942 – granted leave to September 8, 1942 United Kingdom</li>
<li>November 27, 1942 – granted leave to December 6, 1942. “</li>
<li>February 25, 1943 – attached to the 7th Reconnaissance Regiment. “</li>
<li>March 22, 1943 – granted leave to March 29, 1943. “</li>
<li>June 14, 1943 – proceeds to Canadian Military Headquarters for a course. “</li>
<li>September 22, 1943 – returned from course at Canadian Military Headquarters.</li>
<li>October 7, 1943 – attached to the 28th Armoured Regiment. “</li>
<li>January 28, 1944 – to No. 3 Canadian Armoured Corp Reinforcement Unit “</li>
<li>February 5, 1944 – qualified as a Deiver I.C. Class II wheeled vehicles “</li>
<li>August 2, 1944 – is a qualified Driver / Mechanic MU “C” “</li>
<li>October 16, 1944 – Trooper Ryan leaves the United Kingdom for the continent.</li>
<li>October 17, 1944 – arrives in Belgium</li>
</ul><p><strong>In the field….</strong></p>
<ul><li>October 18, 1944 – transferred to the Highland Light Infantry of Canada, North-West Europe</li>
<li>On November 11, 1945, the Regiment was on the Dutch – German border and on a ridge between Nijmegen and Arnhem they took up their positions. Once again, they were living in the cold and damp earth with living quarters being dug into the ground, and pieces of derelict gliders provides roofs for the infantry.</li>
</ul><p>Put in front of them was a no man’s land of shell craters and water, with the derelict gliders scattered across the landscape and maybe a war - torn house or barn. <br />
The next months would prove to be tedious, cold and a miserable life. There would be no advances until February 1945.</p>
<p> </p>
<ul><li>OPERATION VERITABLE began on February 8, 1945, with 3rd Canadian Division and three British Divisions on the flooded left bank over the Waal Flats. The old city of Cleve was bombed flat, and the heaviest artillery bombardment of the war came down upon the enemy positions.</li>
</ul><p>The Materborn Gap was the key to everything and it was 3,300 yards of open ground and it stretched from Cleve and the forests of the Hochwald to the south.</p>
<p>By February 9, 1945, the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division whose sector covered more than half the front began to advance and take their objectives on by one. However, the water was rising and the 7th & 8th Brigades found themselves cut off from their objectives and the 9th Brigade had to complete the role of the Division during this initial phase of the advance.</p>
<p>During phase two the British had penetrated the enemy defences south of the Cleve – Nijmegen Road but were now facing delays in advancing because of the water and rain. As Phase 2 progressed the British were 11 hours behind and the Final phase was to begin before the enemy had a chance to begin reinforcing.</p>
<p>The Final phase was the capture of the Materborn Heights overlooking Cleve. In the evening, the British reported that the enemy forces in Cleve seems disorganized and may not offer much resistance. It was a different story to the south the way seemed to be blocked by a coordinated enemy defence of the Materborn village.</p>
<p> </p>
<ul><li>On February 10, 1945, the Regiment began to advance over the terrain that stopped the artillery from offering their support. The Regiment was stopped by enemy machine gun fire from pill boxes outside the village of Duffelward and this was the only approach. They dug in here for the night.</li>
</ul><p>On the morning of February 11, 1945, the Highland Light Infantry advanced onto Duffelward. By mid afternoon, the Regiment occupied Wardhausen and by evening the Stormont, Dunas & Glengarry Highlanders and the Highland Light Infantry were in control of the Spoy Canal.<br />
In March 1945, Private Ryan’s father received a letter from a comrade of his son stating that when the Regiment was at the front between Nijmegen and Arnhem stating that they used to play cards together.</p>
<p>The letter stated that Private Ryan was a member of No. 2 Platoon and that he was a Bren gunner.</p>
<p>Following the war, another letter arrived from this comrade of Private Ryan and at that time he states that on February 11, 1945, things began to happen quickly following the orders to advance. No. 2 Platoon was part of that advance, quite possibly onto the village of Kleef. No 2 Platoon came under very heavy enemy machine gun fire and 50% + casualties were received. </p>
<p>Private Ryan was apparently killed instantly and he fell in battle at about 4:30 pm during the afternoon of February 11, 1945. He was advancing and firing his Bren gun when he fell.</p>
<ul><li>The father of Private Ryan received a Canadian Pacific Telegraph dated February 20, 1945 informing him that his son had been killed in action.</li>
<li>Brigadier A. C. Spencer per the Adjutant General wrote a letter to Mr. Ryan on February 27, 1945 expressing condolences on the death of his son her who been killed serving his country in the North=West Europe theatre of war. The letter further stated that sympathies were being forwarded from the Minister of Defence and the Army Board.</li>
<li>A letter was received by Mr. Ryan dated August 3, 1946 informing him that Private Ryan he been reburied with honours and Christian rites at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery and that should he wish to send a short and personalized inscription it would be placed on the headstone. This was from Colonel C. L. Laurin, the Director of Records per the Adjutant General.</li>
</ul><p>Mr. Ryan received a letter written on January 21, 1948 which had a photograph enclosed showing the cemetery and grave stone of his son.<br />
Thomas was insured with Monarch Life Assurance Company and Great West Life Association Company.<br />
The personal effects of Private Ryan were photos, leather wallet, pen and a pocket watch with chain.<br />
There was $22.18 in his personal effects. As well, he had purchased $50 in Victory Bonds.<br />
His War Service Gratuity was $488.73 and his Last Pay amounted to $283.32.</p></div>
Tue, 10 Oct 2017 14:43:09 +0000Patrick Nagle58 at http://dutch-canadiansremember.caMugford, Earl Roberthttp://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/biography-Private-Mugford-Earl-Robert
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Mugford, Earl Robert</span>
<div class="field field--name-field-rank field--type-list-string field--label-inline">
<div class="field__label">Rank</div>
<div class="field__item">Private</div>
</div>
<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/user/83" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Patrick Nagle</span></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 10/10/2017 - 09:44</span>
<div class="field field--name-field-divisional-unit field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix">
<h3 class="field__label">Divisional Unit</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/19" hreflang="en">1st Canadian Army</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/1st-Canadian-Infantry-Division" hreflang="en">1st Canadian Infantry Division</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/46" hreflang="en">1st infantry Brigade</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/47" hreflang="en">Royal Canadian Regiment</a></li>
</ul></div><div class="field field--name-field-awards field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix">
<h3 class="field__label">Awards</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/20" hreflang="en">1939-45 Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/45" hreflang="en">Italy Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/21" hreflang="en">France – Germany Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/22" hreflang="en">Defence Medal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/Canadian-Volunteer-Service-Medal-with-clasp" hreflang="en">Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp</a></li>
</ul></div>
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-mt-subheader-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>SERVICE NO: </strong>A / 105054</p>
<p><strong>AWARDS: </strong>1939-45 Star,<strong> </strong>Italy Star, France – Germany Star, Defence Medal,</p>
<p>War Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal + clasp.</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF BIRTH: </strong>May 19, 1922 – Auburn – County of Huron – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF DEATH: </strong>April 15, 1945. 22 years 11 months.</p>
<p><strong>PARENTS: </strong>Mr. Martin and Jennie Youngblut (Mugford) – Auburn – Ontario</p>
<p><strong>BROTHERS: </strong>Ben and Roy both lived in Goderich – Ontario</p>
<p><strong>SISTER: </strong>Mrs. Beatrice Riordin – Ayr – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>CEMETERY: </strong>Holten Canadian War Cemetery – Holten –</p>
<p>Overijssel – Netherlands.</p>
<p>2 D 4</p>
<p>Height: 5’ 7” Weight: 145 pounds</p>
<p>Complexion: medium Eyes: blue / grey Hair: brown</p>
<p>Occupation: Farming Religion: United Church</p>
<p><strong>RESIDENCE:</strong> Auburn – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>ENLISTMENT:</strong> October 29, 1942 – London - Ontario</p>
<p><strong>ENLISTMENT AGE: </strong>20 years 5 months.</p></div>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Earl completed his primary education to Grade 8 and completed one year of high school and left school at the age of 17.<br />
He worked as a labourer wrecking building for 3 months, then he went a worked as a stone crusher in a quarry and then went to work for his step father on the family farm.<br />
Earl was a heavy smoker and liked to drink socially. He enjoyed sports as skating, hockey and baseball and he liked the theatre.</p>
<ul><li>Upon his enlistment Private Mugford was sent to No. 1 District Depot in London _ Ontario.</li>
<li>November 4, 1942 - Following the initial set of interviews with the Army personnel they suggested he go into the Infantry as a Rifleman and become qualified on the 6 pounder Anti – tank gun, </li>
<li>November 20, 1942 – to No. 13 Basic Training Camp at Listowel – Ontario.</li>
<li>December 12, 1942 – No. 14 Basic Training Camp in Stratford – Ontario. To 6 Training Plan.</li>
<li>December 23, 1942 – granted Christmas leave until December 27, 1942.</li>
<li>January 15, 1943 – finished Basic Training.</li>
<li>January 16, 1943 – to begin Advanced Training with courses.</li>
<li>January 25, 1943 – to No. 29 Canadian Infantry Training Camp at Camp Ipperwash – Ontario.</li>
<li>April 16, 1943 – qualifies in anti – tank platoon.</li>
<li>April 26, 1943 – granted furlough to May 9, 1943.</li>
<li>May 5, 1943 – recalled from furlough.</li>
<li>Departed Canadian shores on May 14, 1943.</li>
<li>Arrived in United Kingdom on May 22, 1943.</li>
<li>May 23, 1943 – to No 8 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit United Kingdom</li>
<li>May 30, 1943 – Taken on Strength with Royal Canadian Regiment. United Kingdom</li>
<li>September 6, 1943 – to War Establishment (A Wing) United Kingdom</li>
<li>September 26, 1943 – qualifies for 6 pound anti – tank gun at No. 3 Canadian Infantry Reinforcement Unit United Kingdom.</li>
<li>February 16, 1944 – Departed England.</li>
</ul><p><strong>In the field…..</strong></p>
<ul><li>March 3, 1944 – Private Mugford arrived in Italy.</li>
<li>April 8, 1944 – to Royal Canadian Regiment 3 Battalion Canadian Base Reinforcement Depot from the 2nd Battalion.</li>
<li>May 29, 1944 – to the Royal Canadian Regiment Infantry. Here he was involved in the Battles for the Hitler Line and Gothic Line, </li>
<li>On September 3, 1944, the Royal Canadian Regiment were successful in establishing a bridgehead across the Conca River and led the advance to the Misano Ridge.</li>
<li>September 4 / 5 the regiment was embroiled in vicious fighting on the Misano Ridge</li>
<li>September 5, 1944 – Private Mugford received wounds and is Struck off Service with his regiment.</li>
<li>March 7, 1945 – Departs Italy from either Naples or Leghorn and in two days the Regiment is in Marseilles. </li>
<li>March 9, 1945 – Arrived in France.</li>
</ul><p>About the middle of March was when the Regiment would have reached Belgium.</p>
<ul><li>The 1st Canadian Division was involved in OPERATION CANNONSHOT which was the plan to capture the city of Apeldoorn and this began on April 11, 1945.</li>
</ul><p>Each Brigade of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division had one Battalion from the Permanent Force plus two militia battalions. <br />
The attack began in the mid afternoon of May 11, 1945 and it caught to enemy by surprise as they were thinking the attack would come from Deventer. They were not even aware of the presence of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. The opposition came from small groups of Germans built around a few self – propelled guns. At 9 pm the Canadian bridgehead was “snug”. German reserves reached the area at midnight on night of April 11 / 12 and immediately counter-attacked.</p>
<p>The plan now called for the 1st Infantry Brigade which included the Royal Regiment of Canada to advance east along the axis of the Deventer - Apeldoorn railway to the airfield at Teague. The 1st Brigade moved swiftly to the west and following the death of the Commanding Officer of the 48th Highlanders, took over the lead with tanks of the 1st Hussars and on April 13, 1945 at noon were less than a mile from Apeldoorn. The Dutch Resistance reported that the mail bridge over the Apeldoorn Canal was intact in the centre of the city. </p>
<ul><li>On April 14th at first light the 1st Brigade and the 1st Hussars fought there way to the bridgehead to find it very well defended. North of the city the bridges across the Canal had been blown and the Canal itself was strong defended.</li>
<li>On the evening of April 15th, Operation Cannonshot was in danger of now becoming costly piecemeal attacks. It was reported the Russians were in Berlin and the enemy was wanting a truce in parts of Holland the 1st Brigade wanted to minimize any losses in what appeared to be the final days of the war. That evening the regiment prepares to attack Apeldoorn with “B and C” Companies in the lead and the attack quickly turned into a stalemate. The forward Companies were pinned down by enemy artillery mortar and machine gun fire. The tanks of the 1st Hussars were bogged down as they tried to find an indirect route to the Canal.</li>
</ul><p>During this fight for Apeldoorn cost the 1st Brigade 184 men out of the 506 the 1st Canadian Division suffered.</p>
<p>Regimental / Brigade diaries<br />
a) At 11 pm on the night of April 14th the Royal Canadian Regiment and the 48th Highlanders began to advance. “B & C” Companies led the way and met small pockets of resistance which they eliminated. Into the night of April 14 / 15 one platoon was pinned down but later the enemy was outflanked.<br />
b) At dawn on April 15th the Germans made a counter-attack against “C” Company, but the enemy was forced back. The enemy was here to fight and it was not until “A” Company along with armour attacked the Germans that their resistance began to crumble.<br />
c) Private Mugford it is believed was with “D” Company who had been able to close up on the Canal and all the while had been under constant enemy small arms fire, mortar fire and stick grenade fire from the German defenders. Many of the German defenders were in hideaways on the outskits of Apeldoorn.<br />
d) Apeldoorn fell to the Canadians on April 17, 1945.<br />
e) This was the last contact with the enemy for the Royal Regiment of Canada.</p>
<ul><li>September 12, 1944 – the family received a Canadian Pacific Telegraph informing them that Private Mugford had been wounded.</li>
<li>April 12, 1945 – the family received a Canadian Pacific Telegraph informing them that Private Mugford had been killed in action.</li>
<li>April 30, 1945 – a letter was written to the family from A. E. Walford Major General per the adjutant General expressing deep regrets in the death of Private Mugford who was serving his country in the North - West Europe theatre of War. It goes to express deepest sympathies from the Minister of National Defence and the Army Council.</li>
<li>June 24, 1945 – a letter for the family arrives with an enclosed photo of the grave of Private Mugford plus a photo of the cemetery where he is resting. This was from the Director of War Service Records.</li>
</ul><p>His estate included $378.35 in a Joint Account with his mother at the Canadian Bank of Commerce, a $50.00 Dominion of Canada Bond, $160.00 in Victory Bonds, a life insurance policy with Metropolitan Life, the War Service Grant of $474.70 and the last pay of $120.25.<br />
The personal effects returned to his family included 1 leather wallet, 10 souvenir coins, snapshots, 1 pair spectacles in case, letters, note book, photos and a ring.</p></div>
Tue, 10 Oct 2017 13:44:55 +0000Patrick Nagle55 at http://dutch-canadiansremember.caMontgomery, Robert Jameshttp://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/node/54
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Montgomery, Robert James</span>
<div class="field field--name-field-rank field--type-list-string field--label-inline">
<div class="field__label">Rank</div>
<div class="field__item">Private</div>
</div>
<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/user/83" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Patrick Nagle</span></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 10/10/2017 - 09:08</span>
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<h3 class="field__label">Divisional Unit</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/19" hreflang="en">1st Canadian Army</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/34" hreflang="en"> 4th Canadian Armoured Division</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/35" hreflang="en">10th Infantry Brigade</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/36" hreflang="en">Lincoln and Welland Regiment</a></li>
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<h3 class="field__label">Awards</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/20" hreflang="en">1939-45 Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/21" hreflang="en">France – Germany Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/22" hreflang="en">Defence Medal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/23" hreflang="en"> War Medal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/Canadian-Volunteer-Service-Medal-with-clasp" hreflang="en">Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp</a></li>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-mt-subheader-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>SERVICE NO. </strong>A 61417<strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>AWARDS: </strong>1939-45 Star / France & Germany Star / Defence Medal</p>
<p>War Medal 1939-45 / Canadian Volunteer Service Medal + clasp</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF BIRTH: </strong>November 21, 1920 – Ripley – County of Bruce – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF DEATH: </strong>May 1, 1945 24 years 5 months</p>
<p><strong>MOTHER: </strong>Catherine Montgomery – Dungannon – County of Huron – Ontario<strong>.</strong></p>
<p><strong>SISTER: </strong>Mrs. Francis Reid – Dungannon – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>SISTER: </strong>Mrs. Isabelle Collins – Preston – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>CEMETERY: </strong>Holten Canadian War Cemetery – Overijssel – Netherlands.</p>
<p>IX H 2</p>
<p>Height:<strong> </strong>5’ 91/2”<strong> </strong>Weight:<strong> </strong>166 pounds</p>
<p>Complexion:<strong> </strong>fair Eyes:<strong> </strong>blue Hair:<strong> </strong>light</p>
<p>Occupation: General Store / Service Station Attendant</p>
<p>Longshoreman in Goderich as a fireman on lake boats.</p>
<p>Religion: United Church of Canada</p>
<p><strong>Residence: </strong>R. R. 5 Saltford - Ontario</p>
<p><strong>Enlistment: </strong>August 2, 1942 – Westmount – Nova Scotia</p>
<p><strong>Enlistment Age: </strong>21 years 9 months</p></div>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Robert attended high school in Goderich for two years and left school at the age of 17 years and then he worked for his brother Gordon who owned a general store and gas station. Robert was an attendant. He also worked for two seasons as a fireman on the lake boats out of Goderich.</p>
<p>Gordon served in the Royal Canadian Navy and served at the naval base at HMCS Avalon located in St. John’s Newfoundland.<br />
Robert did his banking at the Bank of Commerce and at the time of his death the balance in the account was $128.46. He also has $1,800.00 in Victory Bonds and a life insurance policy with North American Life in the amount of $1,500.00.</p>
<p>Robert enlisted into the Canadian Army Reserve forces on April 1, 1942 in Kitchener – Ontario and was attached with them until July 29, 1942.</p>
<ul><li>On Sunday August 2, 1942 at 15:00 hours Gunner Montgomery was Taken on Strength as active personnel of the 6th Anti Aircraft Battery based at Westmount – Nova Scotia.</li>
</ul><p>The diary of the 6th AA Battery state that Gunner Montgomery was assigned a number of duties such as dishwashing detail, guard duty, hut orderly and general fatigue</p>
<ul><li>On August 8, 1942 - this soldier was appointed as a A/L/Bdr or Artillery Lance Bombardier.</li>
</ul><p>While in training they had morning parade and afternoon parade and during the week they would have gun drill with respirators, gas cape drill, foot and arm drill, physical training, bayonet fighting with respirators, lectures, rifle drill, line lying, unarmed combat, mending kit, bayonet fighting, map reading, Lewis gun training, aircraft identification, Bren gun training and guard procedures.<br />
Upon completion of this training a soldier will then receive his Mars badge showing that the soldier is now fully trained. Gunner Montgomery received his on January 1, 1943.</p>
<p>Gunner Montgomery and his unit arrived at Halifax Harbour on February 24, 1945 and departed from the shores of Canada on February 25, 1945. They arrived overseas on March 5, 1945 and Gunner Montgomery then reported for duty the following day.</p>
<ul><li>On March 6, 1945 - he transferred to the 2nd Canadian Infantry Training Centre with the rank of Private and on that same day Private Montgomery qualifies as a Driver IC Class III. He was able to operate internal combustion vehicles from jeeps to 10 ton trucks.</li>
<li>Private Montgomery left England on April 21, 1945 and arrived on the continent on April 22, 1945.</li>
</ul><p>Private Montgomery was then Taken on Strength by the Lincoln and Welland Regiment on April 26, 1945. Four days later on April 30, 1945 he would receive fatal head wounds that would claim his life.</p>
<p><strong>In the field…..</strong></p>
<ul><li>The 4th Canadian Armoured Division arrived in Normandy in late July 1944 as part of the 2nd Canadian Corps.</li>
<li>The Lincoln and Welland Regiment had arrived on Norman soil on July 25, 1944 as part of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division</li>
</ul><p>The 2nd Canadian Corps crossed the Rhine River into Germany on March 23, 1945 and the 4th Canadian Armoured Division artillery supported the crossing. On April 1, 1945, the 4th Division crossed the Rhine and took up the line on the right of the Canadian 1st, 2nd and 3rd Divisions. After clearing Almelo of any resistance on April 4/5 the 4th Division set its sites on Germany and around April 21, 1945 they crossed the Kusten Canal. They had covered 100 miles.</p>
<p>The situation that presented itself to the 4th Canadian Division and the Lincs was that the terrain north of the Kusten Canal was full of ditches, streams and other water obstacles that were going to be a challenge to the 4th Canadian Armoured Division. At this stage in the war the enemy in this part of Germany still had a large presence which included five divisional sized commands.</p>
<p>The 4th Division on April 20th began to expand its bridgehead and in doing so the casualties mounted. On April 21st, the 10th Infantry Brigade (Lincoln and Welland) began to force the enemy back across the Aue River and expanded their bridgehead but at a very high casualty rate. This was achieved by April 25, 1945. Between April 20-25, 1945 the 10th Infantry Brigade suffered 402 casualties.</p>
<ul><li>On the morning of April 25th, the 4th began their push toward Bad Zwischenahn and the 10th Infantry Brigade had the right (eastern) flank. Roadblocks, mines and craters, covered from the fire of self propelled guns, mortars, machine guns delayed the advance.</li>
</ul><p>The Lincoln and Welland on the right flank were having their own difficulties from continual obstacles but they also had trouble with communications between tanks and the infantry because the hedges here were so thick. The were moving north to seal the town from the south-east with their objective being the eastern part of the town. They had the support of one medium / three field artillery / one Heavy AA Regiment / a battery of rockets / and a full tank regiment.</p>
<ul><li>On April 26, 1945 - Private Montgomery and others arrived as reinforcements.</li>
</ul><p>The Lincs captured the town of Ekern on April 28th and the following day April 29th they seized the high ground on the southern edge of Bad Zwischenahn.<br />
The weather on April 30, 1945 was cloud and rain for the better part of the day. <br />
The Regiment was able to reach the rail line at the south of Bad Zwischenahn and at 10 am they then began to work their way slowly into the town and to their objectives.<br />
In the town itself there was only one lone machine gun nest and a self propelled gun.<br />
The advance began with “D” Company feeding one platoon after the other over the rail line. “A” Company passed through “D” Company and “B” Company began to firm up at the rail/road crossing. This objective was achieved and “C” Company passed through to their objective.<br />
At 11:50 am “D” began to move forward slowly and with caution on their way to their objective which was the airfield.<br />
All houses had been occupied up to the rail/road crossing </p>
<p>We feel that Private Montgomery was a member of “B” Company which had previously secured the rail/road crossing because it was at this location at approximately 2 pm when Private Montgomery received a fatal head wound. German snipers had been very active the whole day.<br />
At 5:30 pm Private Montgomery was received at No. 12 Canadian Field Ambulance which was attached to the 4th Canadian Division and received immediate attention. Then at 9:15 pm he was transferred to the 3rd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station. While here the medical staff were able to get Private Montgomery to move his right limbs but he was unable to move his left limbs. His wound was to the front right side of the head. Then very early in the morning of May 1, 1945, Private Montgomery was sent to 25 British General Hospital stationed at Wettrigen in Germany.</p>
<p>At 7:15 am on the morning of May 1, 1945, Private Montgomery succumbed to his wounds. He had been with his unit a total of 5 days.<br />
Robert was buried on May 1, 1945 with full military honours and Christian rites.</p>
<ul><li>On May 4, 1945, the Government of Canada sent a Canadian Pacific Telegraph to his mother Catherine informing her of the death of her son Private Montgomery.</li>
<li>On September 5, 1945, The Director of Records per the Adjutant General sent a letter to his mother Catherine stating that her son Private Montgomery had been buried with full military honours and Christian rites at a St. Joseph House Cemetery - Wittingen – Germany. Plot B6 Row B Grave 6. He also stated that at a later date, Robert would be reburied into a permanent cemetery.</li>
</ul><p>His personal effects were returned to his mother in Dungannon and they included…..<br />
1 leather wallet 1 case with miscellaneous German souvenirs<br />
1 pocket diary 1 lighter<br />
1 fountain pen 3 key rings<br />
1 tin box 1 wooden cigarette case<br />
1 dolly bag snapshots.</p>
<p>Mrs. Montgomery received a letter dated January 25, 1949 with an enclosed photo of the grave following Robert’s reburial at Holten Canadian War Cemetery.</p>
<p>Mrs. Montgomery was the Executrix of the estate of Robert and would have received the monies in the amount of $128.46 from the Bank of Commerce, the $1,800.00 in Victory Bonds that Robert had purchased, the $1,500 from the North American Life Insurance policy that Robert had purchased, $136.93 that was found in the personal belongings of Robert as well as Robert’s last pay of $161.93. <br />
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Tue, 10 Oct 2017 13:08:48 +0000Patrick Nagle54 at http://dutch-canadiansremember.caJohnston, Kelso Jameshttp://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/biography-Captain-Johnston-Kelso-James
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Johnston, Kelso James</span>
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<div class="field__label">Rank</div>
<div class="field__item">Captain</div>
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<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/user/83" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Patrick Nagle</span></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 10/10/2017 - 08:20</span>
<div class="field field--name-field-divisional-unit field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix">
<h3 class="field__label">Divisional Unit</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/19" hreflang="en">1st Canadian Army</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/40" hreflang="en">2nd Canadian Infantry Division</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/41" hreflang="en">Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps</a></li>
</ul></div><div class="field field--name-field-awards field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix">
<h3 class="field__label">Awards</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/20" hreflang="en">1939-45 Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/22" hreflang="en">Defence Medal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/23" hreflang="en"> War Medal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/24" hreflang="en">Canadian Volunteer Service Medal</a></li>
</ul></div>
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-mt-subheader-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>DATE OF BIRTH: </strong>August 16, 1910 – Goderich – County of Huron – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF DEATH: </strong>August 30, 1945 34 years 11 months</p>
<p><strong>WIFE: </strong>Katherine Isabel Johnston – Goderich / Owen Sound – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>PARENTS: </strong>Mr. George and Bertha Johnston – Owen Sound – Ontario<strong>.</strong></p>
<p><strong>CEMETERY: </strong>Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery – Gelderland – Netherlands.</p>
<p>V G 3</p>
<p>Height:<strong> </strong>5” 10 1/2”<strong> </strong>Weight<strong>:</strong> 157 pounds</p>
<p>Complexion:<strong> </strong>medium Eyes:<strong> </strong>blue<strong> </strong>Hair: <strong> </strong>dark brown / gray</p>
<p>Occupation:<strong> </strong>Accountant Religion:<strong> </strong>Baptist</p>
<p><strong>Residence: </strong>Goderich - Ontario</p>
<p><strong>Enlistment: </strong>June 12, 1940 – Own Sound – County of Bruce – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>Enlistment Age: </strong>29 years<strong> </strong>10 months</p></div>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>While in Goderich Kelso lived at 64 West Street.<br />
He received part of his education in Goderich and following this he then went to Stanstead Wesleyan College in Stanstead, Quebec.<br />
Following his education and prior to his enlistment he was employed as an accountant.</p>
<p>Kelso enlisted in Owen Sound on June 12, 1940 into the Canadian Active Service Force. That same day he was appointed to the rank of Sergeant and then Staff Sergeant. On his Occupational History form Kelso stated he liked to prospect.</p>
<p>Kelso has a life insurance policy with Mutual Life of Waterloo.</p>
<ul><li>On November 13, 1942 - Sergeant Johnston qualifies as a driver CI III. He now can drive internal combustion wheeled vehicles. During 1943 he attended and completed a tank officers training course, was commissioned to the rank of Lieutenant on December 8, 1943 and then shortly after this he transferred to the Royal Canadian Army Pay Corps. He was then stationed in Vancouver and Vernon in British Columbia, Calgary and Jasper in Alberta and then to Lethbridge where he was paymaster.</li>
</ul><p>Lieutenant Johnston on November 22, 1944 received the rank of Captain.He then traveled to Halifax arriving there on February 24, 1945 and the next day February 25th, 1945 he departed from Canada bound for England and arrived there on March 5, 1945.<br />
While he was based at Aldershot in England he volunteered for duty in the Pacific theatre.</p>
<p>From March 5, 1945 until May 28, 1945 he was stationed in England. <br />
Then in late May he left England and travels to Oostende, Belgium arriving there on May 28, 1945. He was stationed in Holland with the Army of Occupation.</p>
<p><strong>In the field…..</strong></p>
<ul><li>On June 21, 1945 - he leaves the 2nd Canadian Division and goes on strength with the 3rd Canadian General Battalion and joins them on June 25, 1945.</li>
<li>In mid August 1945 - he was stationed in Germany at Bad Zwischenahn and on August 28, 1945 he had received permission to use a vehicle to go to Utrecht. He would be driving a Willys 5cwt truck. The day was unsettled and visibility was limited.</li>
</ul><p>Captain Johnston approached the outer limits of Utrecht on the evening of August 28, 1945 at approximately 9:30 pm. The sun had just set and it was beginning to get dark. He approached Utrecht and as he did so he encountered a traffic roundabout. These were common in Europe but very uncommon in Canada. He was driving with his lights on and approached at a speed of between 35-40 mph. <br />
There were no lights in the area of the roundabout.<br />
Captain Johnston tried to make the curve but the left front wheel climbed the curb and the vehicle began to wobble. The vehicle sideswiped a metal pole with support wires and when this happened his head struck the pole as did his left shoulder and leg.<br />
Captain Johnston was ejected from the vehicle and was unconscious on the grass.<br />
The pole supported electrical wires for the local streetcars.<br />
There were some military personnel and citizens in the immediate area and they helped put Captain Johnston into a vehicle and they took him to a civilian hospital St. Anthonius where he was admitted at 11:30 pm on the night of August 28, 1945. It was determined then that he was suffering from a fractured skull.<br />
On the following day, he was transferred to No. 1 Canadian General Hospital and arrived there approximately 10. 20 pm that evening.<br />
Captain Johnston was now in a coma and on the night of August 30, 1945 at 10:15 pm he passed away from the effects of his very serious head trauma.</p></div>
Tue, 10 Oct 2017 12:20:08 +0000Patrick Nagle51 at http://dutch-canadiansremember.caJamieson, Jameshttp://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/biography-Private-Jamesion-James
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Jamieson, James</span>
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<div class="field__item">Private</div>
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<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/user/83" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">Patrick Nagle</span></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Tue, 10/10/2017 - 08:02</span>
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<h3 class="field__label">Divisional Unit</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/19" hreflang="en">1st Canadian Army</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/1st-Canadian-Infantry-Division" hreflang="en">1st Canadian Infantry Division</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/38" hreflang="en">3rd Infantry Brigade</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/39" hreflang="en">Carleton and York Regiment</a></li>
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<h3 class="field__label">Awards</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/20" hreflang="en">1939-45 Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/21" hreflang="en">France – Germany Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/22" hreflang="en">Defence Medal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/Canadian-Volunteer-Service-Medal-with-clasp" hreflang="en">Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with clasp</a></li>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-mt-subheader-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>SERVICE NO:</strong> B / 143446</p>
<p><strong>AWARDS:</strong> 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, France – Germany Star, Defence Medal,</p>
<p>War Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal + clasp.</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF BIRTH: </strong>May 18, 1918 – Toronto – County of York - Ontario</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF DEATH: </strong>April 22, 1945 26 years 11 months</p>
<p><strong>WIFE: </strong>Mrs. Ruth May Jamieson – Toronto – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>PARENTS: </strong>Mr. James and Rebeca Jamieson – Ayton – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>SON: </strong>Master Robert Jamieson – Toronto – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>DAUGHTER: </strong>Miss Marlene Jamieson – Toronto – Ontario</p>
<p><strong>SISTER: </strong>Mrs. R. McVay – Acton – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>CEMETERY: </strong>Langenoord Cemetery – Netherlands.</p>
<p><strong>CEMETERY: </strong>Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery – Gelderland – Netherlands</p>
<p>XIV H 11</p>
<p>Height: 5’ 8” Weight: 141 pounds</p>
<p>Complexion: medium Eyes: blue Hair: fair</p>
<p>Occupation: Silk knitter of hosiery Religion: United Church</p>
<p><strong>RESIDENCE: </strong>Toronto - Ontario</p>
<p><strong>ENLISTMENT: </strong>March 2, 1943 – Toronto – Ontario <strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>ENLISTMENT AGE: </strong>24 years 10 months</p></div>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>James took his primary education in Toronto and graduated from Grade 8. He also took 1year of high school and then left school.</p>
<p>He then took 3 years of schooling at a Technical School and took drafting and mechanics.</p>
<ul><li>March 2, 1943 – to No. 2 District Depot to Intelligence (Reserve) B Wing 7 Company in Toronto – Ontario.</li>
<li>March 19, 1943 – to No. 20 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre in Brantford – Ontario.</li>
<li>March 20, 1943 – to No. 10 Canadian Infantry Training Centre at Camp Borden – Ontario. </li>
<li>June 2, 1943 – Basic Training completed at No. 20 Canadian Army Basic Training Centre in Brantford – Ontario to No. 10 Basic Army Training Centre in Kitchener – Ontario.</li>
<li>August 2, 1943 – granted 4 days leave until August 6, 1943.</li>
<li>August 14, 1943 – to No. 14 Canadian Infantry Training Centre in Aldershot – Nova Scotia.</li>
<li>September 13, 1943 – completed test of Elementary Training at No. 5 Canadian Infantry Reserve Unit.</li>
<li>September 14, 1943 – Departed Canadian shores for overseas.</li>
<li>September 19, 1943 – Arrived in the United Kingdom.</li>
<li>September 20, 1943 – to No. 5 Canadian Infantry Reserve Unit.</li>
<li>November 5, 1943 – to No. 1 Canadian Infantry Reserve Unit.</li>
<li>March 2, 1944 – granted 9 days leave.</li>
<li>March 14, 1944 – to No. 5 Canadian Infantry Reserve Unit.</li>
<li>March 15, 1944 – to No. 1 Canadian Infantry Reserve Unit.</li>
<li>March 25, 1944 0 Departed United Kingdom.</li>
</ul><p><strong>In the field…..</strong></p>
<ul><li>April 9, 1944 - arrived in the Italian theatre of war. Taken on Strength with the Carleton and York Regiment.</li>
<li>May 27, 1944 – Struck off Strength from the Carleton and York Regiment – Italy.</li>
<li>May 29, 1944 – Taken on Strength to the Carleton and York Regiment – Italy. </li>
</ul><p>This researcher cannot tell from his service file if Private Jamieson spent time in the Reserve Regiments in Italy or if he took part in the fighting. If he did take part in the fighting he could have been involved in such battles as Cassini II, the Gustav Line, the Liri Valley, The Hitler Line, the Melta Crossing, the Gothic Line, the Rimini Line, San Fortunato, the Lamone Crossing and the Naviglio Canal.</p>
<ul><li>June 23, 1944 – qualified as an Infantry Signaller “C”” – Italy. OPERATION GOLDFLAKE was now beginning.</li>
<li>March 16, 1945 – Departs Italy.</li>
<li>March 18, 1945 – Arrives in Marseilles – France.</li>
</ul><p>Once in Marseilles I Canadian Corps (men, equipment, guns, tanks, Signals, Medical and everything else) loaded onto convoys and in five days drove through France, Belgium and then into the Netherlands in preparation for the final push into Nazi Germany. <br />
The Carleton and York Regiment had arrived in the village of Hoogland on April 20, 1945 and had come by two different roads from the village of Nijerke area. The people of Hoogland opened their homes to the men of the Regiment.<br />
On the 21st of April, patrols were sent out under cloudy and rainy skies. A platoon from “A” Company with carriers and anti-tank guns helped to clear out wooded areas to the west of Nijkerk where the Royal 22nd Regiment was having difficulty clearing out 200 enemy soldiers. Later that evening “D” Company set up an ambush patrol in those same woods and in the morning they joined the forward platoon from “A” Company in the area of the woods. As well during the evening hours the Regiment moved forward and tried to bypass enemy resistance points but even so there was considerable opposition from road blocks, small arms fire and self propelled guns. Late in the evening they were in a position on the approached to the Eem River north-west of Amersfoot. <br />
From the research done it is felt that Private Jamieson was a member of either “C” or “D” Company.</p>
<ul><li>April 22, 1945 was cloudy and cool during the morning but as the day continued the weather became more dull with rain and into the evening it was cold.</li>
</ul><p>At 9:11 am – “D” Company reported that they were taking fire from enemy bazookas.<br />
By 2 pm “B” Company had relieved “D” Company. The Regiment was then ordered to clear the area to the Eem River. “D” Company began to consolidate. “C” Company was close to the river and following a road. “A” Company was clearing out nearby woods.<br />
“B” Company began to move forward with a Troop of tanks and two anti-tank guns and “C” Was supposed to pass through.<br />
At 5:12 pm - a large number of enemy troops were discovered in the axis of “B’ Company. <br />
At 5:16 pm - both “A” and “B” began to move.<br />
At 7:35 pm – “C” Company came under heavy attack from enemy machine gun fire and were encountering road blocks.<br />
Later in the evening at 10:17 pm the Regiment began to move forward to get closer to the canal and while doing so they met heavy enemy resistance and the result now was the left flank was now open and totally exposed.<br />
The Regiment was located at this point south-west of Nijerke and very close to Langenoord. It is felt that this is the area where Private Jamieson fell as he was buried at Langenoord.</p>
<p>Private Jamieson’s wife received a letter dated May 5, 1945 from Major – General A. E. Walford per the Adjutant General expressing condolences on the death of her husband as he was serving his country in the North – West Europe theatre of war. As well the letter states that the Minister of Defence and the Army Board send their sympathies.<br />
Mrs. Jamieson received a letter dated July 26, 1946 informing her that her husband Private Jamieson had been reverently reburied with honours and rites at Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery. She was also invited to send a short personal message that could be engraves on the headstone. This letter was from the Director of Records, Colonel C. L. Laurin per the Adjutant General.</p>
<p>James had a life Insurance Policy with London Life. The War Service Gratuity was $455.51 while his last pay was $176.36.<br />
The personal effects of Private Jamieson that were sent to his family included 1 pair opera glasses, <br />
1 red “I” disc, 1 leather coin purse, 2 rings, 1 folder with photos, Christmas card and clippings, <br />
6 post cards, 1 New Testament, 1 folder with snapshots, 1 fascist symbol, 1 leather wallet, 1 ID bracelet.</p></div>
Tue, 10 Oct 2017 12:02:53 +0000Patrick Nagle50 at http://dutch-canadiansremember.caElliott Robert Jameshttp://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/biography-Trooper-Elliott-Robert-James
<span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Elliott Robert James</span>
<div class="field field--name-field-rank field--type-list-string field--label-inline">
<div class="field__label">Rank</div>
<div class="field__item">Trooper</div>
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<span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span lang="" about="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/user/1" typeof="schema:Person" property="schema:name" datatype="" xml:lang="">admin</span></span>
<span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden">Thu, 10/05/2017 - 13:46</span>
<div class="field field--name-field-divisional-unit field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix">
<h3 class="field__label">Divisional Unit</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/19" hreflang="en">1st Canadian Army</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/25" hreflang="en">II Canadian Corps</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/26" hreflang="en">2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade,</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/27th-Canadian-Armoured-Regiment" hreflang="en">27th Canadian Armoured Regiment</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/28" hreflang="en">The Sherbrooke Fusiliers</a></li>
</ul></div><div class="field field--name-field-awards field--type-entity-reference field--label-above field--entity-reference-target-type-taxonomy-term clearfix">
<h3 class="field__label">Awards</h3>
<ul class="links field__items"><li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/20" hreflang="en">1939-45 Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/21" hreflang="en">France – Germany Star</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/22" hreflang="en">Defence Medal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/23" hreflang="en"> War Medal</a></li>
<li><a href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/taxonomy/term/24" hreflang="en">Canadian Volunteer Service Medal</a></li>
</ul></div>
<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-mt-subheader-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>SERVICE NO: </strong> A / 43041</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF BIRTH: </strong> January 20, 1921 – Teeswater – County of Bruce – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>DATE OF DEATH: </strong>February 21, 1945. 24 years 1 month</p>
<p><strong>PARENTS: </strong>Mr. Thomas and Mary Elliott – Blyth – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>BROTHER: </strong>Mr. Gordon Elliott – Preston – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>SISTERS: </strong>Mrs. Elizabeth Karadis – New York City – New York – USA.</p>
<p>Mrs. Jean Henry – Hensall – Ontario.</p>
<p>Mrs. Jesse Henry – Lucknow – Ontario.</p>
<p>Mrs. Edith Wright – Toronto – Ontario.</p>
<p><strong>CEMETERY: </strong>Bedburg Cemetery – Bedburg – Germany</p>
<p>Row 5 Grave 1</p>
<p><strong>CEMETERY: </strong>Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery – Groesbeek –</p>
<p>Gelderland – Netherlands.</p>
<p>XXI H 13</p>
<p>Height: 5’ 8” Weight: 142 pounds</p>
<p>Complexion: dark Eyes: brown Hair: dark brown</p>
<p>Occupation: Woolen mill worker Religion: Presbyterian</p>
<p><strong>RESIDENCE:</strong></p>
<p><strong>ENLISTMENT: </strong>June 24, 1940 – London – Ontario in the Elgin Regiment of the</p>
<p>Canadian Active Service Force.</p>
<p><strong>ENLISTMENT AGE: </strong>19 years 6 months.</p>
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<a class="overlayed image-popup" href="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/sites/default/files/2017-10/ELLIOTT_0.jpg"><img src="http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2017-10/ELLIOTT_0.jpg?itok=e0EnpnN7" width="750" height="500" alt="Elliot" title="Elliot" typeof="foaf:Image" class="image-style-large" /><span class="overlay"><i class="fa fa-plus"></i></span></a>
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<div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><ul><li>Robert completed his primary schooling in Blyth, completed one year of high school and at enlistment was attending Blyth Continuation School and here he could get his education to Grade 13.</li>
<li>June 24, 1940 – Private Elliott was sent to the Thames Valley Training Camp. </li>
<li>January 25, 1941 – granted furlough until February 8, 1941.</li>
<li>Following the training of the Regiment they moved to Toronto in 1941 and became part of the 12th Infantry Brigade.</li>
<li>April 11, 1941 – granted furlough until April 15, 1941</li>
<li>About this time the Regiment moved to Valcartier – Quebec to continue with its training and was at this location until approximately the end of May 1941. At this time, the Regiment moved to Camp Sussex located in Sussex – New Brunswick.</li>
<li>January 5, 1942 – granted leave until January 18, 1942 – Camp Sussex.</li>
<li>January 25, 1942 – the Regiment was converted from Infantry to Armour while at Camp Sussex with the name the 25th Armoured Regiment – Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. Shortly after this the Regiment moved to Debert – Nova Scotia Camp Debert was located on the main line of the Canadian National Railway from Montreal and went as far as Halifax. Camp Debert was the final staging area for all troops going overseas and was the location where the troops trained and received their weapons. The troops would travel from Debert to Halifax under cover of darkness and in blackout conditions.</li>
<li>March 14, 1942 – Trooper Elliott transferred to the 25th Canadian Armoured Regiment (Elgins) Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. Camp Debert – Nova Scotia.</li>
<li>April 18, 1942 – qualifies as a Driver I.C. wheeled vehicles Camp Debert – Nova Scotia</li>
<li>June 10, 1942 – Trooper Elliott was tested and qualified as a Driver I.C. wheeled vehicles </li>
<li>June 16, 1942 – granted Special Duty Leave until July 21, 1942 while at Camp Debert – Nova Scotia.</li>
<li>Trooper Elliott had taking rifle, Sten gun, PIAT and grenade training before going overseas.</li>
<li>August 20, 1942 – Trooper Elliott was Struck off Service in Canada.</li>
<li>August 21, 1942 – Trooper Elliott was Taken on Service for overseas duties.</li>
<li>September 8, 1942 – granted leave until September 13, 1942.</li>
<li>September 26, 1942 – Trooper Elliott and the 25th Armoured Regiment departed from Canada.</li>
<li>October 9, 1942 – Trooper Elliott arrived in the United Kingdom.</li>
<li>In January 1943, the 25th Canadian Armoured Regiment became known as the 1st Canadian Tank Delivery Regiment.</li>
<li>January 12, 1943 – Trooper Elliott qualified as a Driver Mechanic Group “C” United Kingdom</li>
<li>January 13, 1943 – granted leave until January 20, 1943.</li>
<li>February 2, 1944 – granted leave until February 12, 1944</li>
<li>April 26, 1944 – to No. 2 Canadian Reserve Unit.</li>
<li>June 1944 – Taken on Strength to 12th Battalion 2nd Canadian Brigade Reserve Group.</li>
<li>June 22, 1944 – Departed the United Kingdom for Juno Beach in Normandy – France</li>
<li>June 23, 1944 – Landed at Juno Beach on D Day + 17</li>
<li>July 17, 1944 – Taken on Strength with the 27th Canadian Armoured Regiment (Sherbrooke Fusiliers) UK</li>
</ul><p><strong>In the field…..</strong></p>
<ul><li>July 20, 1944 – Taken on Strength as a Driver Mechanic Tank North-West Europe.</li>
<li>January 24, 1945 – Struck off Strength as a Driver Mechanic Tank North-West Europe</li>
<li>January 30, 1945 – Taken on Strength as a Driver Mechanic Tank North-West Europe</li>
<li>February 21, 1945 – Trooper Elliott loses his life in battle North-West Europe</li>
<li>February 21, 1945 – the Tank of Trooper Elliot was struck by enemy fire, he was not able to escape the destroyed tank. Three members of his crew were wounded.</li>
</ul><p>Trooper Elliot was attached to the Sherbrooke Fusiliers as a qualified driver / mechanic of the Sherman tank and if this is what he was doing between July 20, 1944 – January 24, 1945 and then from January 30 – February 21, 1945 he was probably involved in the following but not all of the battles as they rotated tanks and crews from time to time<br />
Crossing the Orne River at Caen, Faubourg de Vaucelles, Bourguebus Ridge, Operation Totalize and the elimination of Michael Wittman of the 101st SS Heavy Panzer Battalion, Clair Tizon, The Liaison, The Falaise. Following the Falais battle the Regiment brought in replacement tanks and crews. <br />
Then in September / October 1944 they were attached to the 1st British Corps. Then it was the Scheldt, the Lower Mass and then they went to a quiet sector, relieved a British Unit and here they rested and trained. The front was active but it was static due to badly damaged roads, flooded areas and winter conditions. <br />
Throughout January and February, the Regiment and its Squadrons moved around the 2nd / 3rd Canadian Divisions and they were assigned direct and indirect fire tasks against the enemy.</p>
<p>The Moyland Wood fight was significant in that it showed how a determined enemy with no fear of dying could so strongly delay the Canadian advance with fire and counter-attacks forcing the Canadians to proceed by a set piece strategy.<br />
Across from the Canadians were 10 enemy Divisions: 3 Infantry, 3 Panzer and 4 Parachute. The Canadians found out this enemy was formidable in quality and quantity.<br />
The attack onto the Moyland Wood was schedules for 10 am on the morning of February 21, 1945.<br />
Briefly, the plan called for continuous artillery fire to saturate the woods, as the infantry advanced they would follow a rolling barrage, and light weapons such as machine-guns and anti-tank guns would fire over open sites at the Sectors of the Battlefield. The Sectors were 300 yards wide and the Sectors ran from east to west. “B” Sector would receive an additional 45 minutes of light fire, “C” Sector an additional 75 minutes of fire, “D” Sector would receive 120 minutes and “E” Sector the final objective would receive an additional 150 minutes of light fire.<br />
“B” and “C” Companies of the Winnipeg Rifles would be leading and advancing from the west with the support of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers. Two tanks Company. The infantry was set to go 10 minutes before 10 am and the tanks of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers were forward providing support fire.<br />
By early afternoon there was just “E” Sector left to clear and consolidate. This was assigned to “D” Company who were replaced by the Regina Rifles. “D” Company then went to assist a badly depleted “C” Company.<br />
At 2 pm “C” and “D” Companies of the Winnipeg Rifles began to move and they passed one of the Sherbrooke Fusilier tanks that had been knocked out. This was the tank of Trooper Elliott. As the Companies advanced the fighting was fierce, it was bitter, it was bloody and they found the enemy defenders well hidden with much firepower. The tanks were stopped because of all the enemy mines in the area. Casualties would have been much higher if it had not been for the tanks of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers.<br />
The Sector was finally cleared and the Canadian forces were now able to advance toward Germany.</p>
<ul><li>Robert was insured with Monarch Life for $1,000.</li>
<li>He had a bank account in Blyth with the Canadian Bank of Commerce with $50 in it.</li>
<li>The Last Pay received was $152.53 while his War Service Gratuity amounted to $753.04.</li>
<li>The personal effects of Robert included 1 Red “I” disc 1 leather folder with snapshots Personal letters 1 cap badge, 1 pen and pencil set, 1 fountain pen, 1 prayer book and a cloth folder with snapshots.</li>
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Thu, 05 Oct 2017 17:46:36 +0000admin39 at http://dutch-canadiansremember.ca